Variety (October 1952)

RADIO REVIEWS VAnlETf A CRIME LETTER FROM DAN DODGE With Myron McCormick, Shirley Eggleston, others Writer: Howard Swanton Directors: Charles Irving, Donald Painter 30 Mins.; Fri., 8 p.m. TONI CO. ABC, from New York (Foote, Cone & Belding) “A Crime Letter from Dan Dodge/' which bowed on the ABC net Friday (24), is in the same gen- eral vein as the dozens of other mystery thrillers cluttering up the kilocycles. Only change in format lies . in the half-hour mellers method of presentation. For the adventure stuff is unfolded via flashback as private eye Dodge dictates a “Crime letter" that deals with a recent case. Inaugural concerned an attempt by a real estate operator and a bur- lesque queen, who dabbled __ m realty, to pull off a big transaction. _ Unfortunately, a sausage factory on the site blocked assembly of the parcel. Whereupon the factory- owner’s wife is spirited away and her spouse is charged with her murder. When this proves ineffec- tive, the burley cutie kills him. For, with the owner out of the way, she controls the site through the widow. Lest the script be too unconven- tional, the yarn is permeated with •the traditional rivalry between the private eye and the police as to who cracks the crime first. Per- formances are fairly good although cliches are stressed. Myron Mc- Cormick, as detective Dodge, terse- ly reads his lines while Shirley Eg- gleston, as his gal Friday, has a nonchalant air and* a sugary voice. Supporting cast is adequate. Mystery fans may get a few mo ments of suspense out of Crime Letter" but the show is far from a standout. Liberal P^gs for Prom home permanent and White Rain shampoo are even woven into the script via a telephone call to Miss Eggleston. - ♦ MONDAY MORNING HEAD- LINES With Don Gardiner Producer: Donald Coe Director: Don Painter 15 Mins., Sun., 6:15 p.m. TAYLOR GRANT—NEWS Producer: Coe Director: Robert Noble 15 Min., Sun., 9:15 p.m. LOBILLARD CO. ABC, from N. Y. . , (Lennen & Mitchell) The P. Lorillard Co. has signed up these two news programs over a 328-station hookup to plug two of its cigarets, the Sunday at 6:15 show pushing Embassy and the 9:15 airer plugging Old Golds. Both cigs get boosts via these pro- crams. “Mondav Morning Headlines" is exactly what the title suggests— the headlines a reader will De see- ing in next morning’s newspaper, here read the night before clearly, factually and effectively, for a good capsule survey of up-to-mm- ute news. Coverage »s full; its surprising how many headlines can be packed into a 15-minute a i rer . Don Gardiner read them well, in lucid, unexcited tones. Sunday s (26) .airer covered the political campaign, Korea, Iran, Germany, Poland, equally' divided between foreign and domestic issues. Gar- diner also read the two middle commercials, which were brief ana inoffensive. . . A iC The Taylor Grant airer. at 9:15 was more of the same. Taylor had the same reassurance in ms man- ner, as he read off the' ne Su even-tempoed, deep voice. There was some repetition, which was to be expected. Grant’s items were slightly more detailed, while occa- sionally he roamed away into tri- via. But the last-minute news was there for the busy h ea y e .^ terated, not hypoed, but straight. Grant also handled the co V cir ^?5" cials, which were a little shorter than Gardiner’s. Bron . MERRILL E says thank you for 0 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Today marks another mile- stone and gives me the oppor- tunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to oil those who, during the past year, have truly made me "De MAN In DeMANd"! CLARK ANDREWS CHARLES RASCH ROBERT BELL RITA CAHILL VICTOR CAVANESS RICHARD CLEMMER CAROL BUCKLEY DAY HENRY DENKER MAURA DOONAR SHERMAN DRYER JASON GOLDMAN MEL GOODMAN WALTER GORMAN JOHN GUNN BERT'HECHT HELEN HEDEMAN TEt3 r HEiS3G ( E!t' •••-- — GORDON HESSLER EDGAR KAHN NANCY KASSELL MILTON B. KAYE WILLIAM KEG EDWARD KING CHARLES KINNEY WILLIAM KOCH STEVE KRANTZ HECKY KRASNOW RICHARD LEWIS JAMES LOVE DAVE MacANENY ELECTION PREVIEW With Leo W. O’Brien, Irving Lewis, Charles Day. Leslie Claypole, George Lord, Howard Masch- meier Writer: Roger Stevens 30 Mins.*, Sun., 1:30 p.m. . WPTR, Albany An interesting five-week preview of the election picture in five “crit- ical” states, New York, ‘ Illinois, California and Pennsylvania, is presented on a recorded half-hour produced at WPTR in cooperation with WLS, WGAR, KFWB and WCAU. Leo W. O’Brien covers the situation in this- state; Irving Lewis, Illinois; Leslie Claypole, California; Charles Day, Ohio and George Lord, Pennsylvania. Howard Maschmeier, of WPTR, ties to- gether the program, written by Roger Stevens, also of the Albany station. . ,, , The third installment unfolded smoothly, clearly, impartially. Em- phasis, technique and v6ice of the five analysts vary. O’Brien, who is also Congressman from the 32nd District and a former newspaper- man, thought the presidential race in the Empire State close and doubtful, with Stevenson possible winner by 100,000 plurality, and the senatorial contest likely to go to Republican Irving M. Ives. Clay- pole, also political editor of Los Angeles Daily News, talked of “money and influence” in the clos- ing weeks of the contest in that state; Lewis -(quiet and scholarly), of the too great punching on “sec- ondary issues" via press and radio; Day, WGAR news editor, of the battle for governor between In- cumbent Frank Lausche and Charles P. Taft and its overtones Lord, of conflicting predictions by , FORD THEATRE HOUR \ (Nothing but the Truth) With William Needles, Howard Milson, Alice Hill, Eric House, Douglas Master, Peggy Lodcr, Araby Lockhart, John Atkinson, Barbara Field, Burna Raine Producer-Director: Alan Savage^ . Writer: James Montgomery 60 Mins.; Fri., 9 p.m. FORD OF CANADA LTD. CBC, from Toronto 0 ( Cockfield , Brown) ( For fourth season, Ford of Can- ada is back for a 32-week frame to be carried on 46 stations across Canada,, with budget around $150,- 000. Alan Savage returns as pro- ducer-director for fourth consecu- tive term. Previous series have, heretofore, enjoyed highest list Wednesday, Oclol>er 29, 1952 KANSAS CITY PHILHARMONIC With Hans Scliwiegcr> Conductor; Tony Chapp, commentator 2 hours, 8:30 p.m. (alternate Sat.) M. K. GOETZ BREWING CO. WDAF, Kansas City, Mo. (Compton) Precedents were set in several categories with this series broad- casting the regular Saturday night concerts of the Kansas City Phil- harmonic Orchestra from the Mu- sic Hall. It’s a first for the orch- estra concevts on WDAF, the Kan- sas City Star’s AM outlet, a first for the orchestra with a brewery as a sponsor and first time a brew- ing- company has been permitted to buy commercial time on WDAF. Station policy had to undergo a bit of revision to handle this r w w, a UAL U1 x cvioiuu uimuic UU& ener-rated Canadian commercial t but management annuonced returns in the drama classification. I . . - - • returns in tne arama ciassiiicaLiuii. it wVg doing so in the public in . Ford s sprightly Nothing but the 4. pre ~j. as well as the bundle of Truth" shows c u s to mar Y *°P lettuce involved (estimated at $25.- tjon and 000 total costs to the brewery for Schull expertly bringing the _e- the concerts). Broadcasts are Wr Ac £n5 ic thimp deals with the an important adjunct of current semlng impoSibillty^of the hero’s ^he^OyeaSold 1 PhUhar" telling the complete truth lor 24 “1 l h e shltS to ThSS hours, this on a Bet, but leading ^' c !? n i h a S a .Mrdav S niehts (from U the to deterrent complications affect- ^s^s /nd w^nesdays if re- o'lL®nL B rfty n challe n n«es l de/owTng centyears) on alternate weeks tor on his MrtnLrfn thlir brokerage hs regular concerts. The Saturday bSsinlsfand extra-marftal^Tnvofv 8 / concerts are admittedly in a ments these oointed uD bv wKely lighter vein, leaving the stiffer Soss-examinationstoward^liat 24^ Thursday hour dpadlinrv. firmed longhairs and offering the Writing is witty and deliver/ Saturday menu for the more swiftly-paced, for top laugh returns leisurely following. Thus Goetz and (it’s an audience show), only defect the Philharmonic obviously being stuffy enunciation of one the Saturday works for the most male member of the cast who, even popular appeal, in a stuffed shirt role, should have Opening concert in kicking off underplayed „ for more efficient a 20th anniversary season brought listener-clarity. in Hilde Gueden from the Met Whole production, however, with a s guest soprano, and offered the Lucio Agostini orch in for brisk Tschaikowsky Fifth from the in- and lilting breaks for scene con- a ugural program 20 years ago. As nections, augurs well for series. All nicked up by the mike the con- members of the cast, but for that cert was highly listenable, particu- one defective, presented sparkling i ar iy for the Philharmonic follow- performances that warranted the ^ rs> and for the general run of continuous audience guffaws. listeners as well. Full concert in- Unohtrusive commercials sepa- cluribed “The Escapades of Scapin," rating the three acts were brief the Tschaikowsky, “O, Mio Babbino and in good taste. McStay. Caro" and “Caro Nome" for Miss Gueden, “The Birds" as an orches- •| tral suite, and “Die tote Stadt’* JAMES MANILLA HARYEY MARLOWE LUCILLE MASON MARGE MORROW JOEL OBRIEN TONY PAN WALTER PICK DORIS QUINLAN RUSS RAYCROFT MAX RICHARD JACK RUBIN SHOLEM RUBINSTEIN HARRY RUDDER FRANCES SCOTT JEFF SELDEN DON SHELDON ... E,-Jr--SP!RO FREDERIC STANGE DAN SUTTER MARGE TAHANEY ELEANOR TARSH9S HARRY WALSH AMANDA WEBSTER FRED WEIHE HERBERT WOLF MUL WOOD PRESTON WOOD GEORGE E. WR3GHT p WYNN WRIGHT ° IRWIN S. YEAWORTH, Jr. AIRCRAFT FLASH „ . With Douglas Edwards, Arthur and “Czardas" from ‘Die Fleder Godfrey, General Hoyt Yanden- maus" again for Miss Gueden. The . , berg Escapades" by Otmar Nussio and Democratic and Republican lead- Produccr; Dallas Townsend “The Birds" by Ottorino Respighi ers on the outcome m Pennsylvania. 25 Mins . Sat , 12:05 a . m . were given their. American pre- Maschmeier displayed an author- CBg from New York mieres with this performance, and itative voice in the bridging. Fro- CBS Radio News and Public Af- Maestro Schwieger gets credit for gram is competently written and f a j rs Department has whipped up ohoosing well and for a fine per- produced. jaco . a wor thy series dedicated to the formance throughout. civilian volunteers of the Ground The entire series and broadcasts GRANDSTAND QUARTERBACK Observer Corps. The post-mid- are on a firm basis, judging by With Dick Enroth, Sid Hartman, night segment is pegged mainly at the turnout for the first two con- Tom Briere, Dick Fisher, Lyle the GOC staffers who are on duty certs, and it should prove a mem- Clark at that time but the net hopes it’ll orable season for the local long- Producer-director: Enroth also have appeal for the average hairs. Quin. 30 Mins.; Sun., 12 pan. dialer as well as help GOC recruit- STEWART-WARNER ing. Whether the average listener WTCN, Minneapolis ^ will take to “Aircraft Flash,’’ how- MIDNIGHT MATINEE This transcribed show brings an ever, is a moot point. Program has With A1 Henry analysis and discussion of the pre- too many gabbers and disk jockeys 45 Mins., Mon.-thru-Sat., 11:15 p.m. vious day’s University 0 of Minne- to buck at that hour to score with WONS, Hartford sota football game, its* upcoming a ny impact. This show rates mention because contest ahd other Big 10 clashes, Format blends some okay musi- it is a skillfully wrapped package along with a review of Twin Cities cal fare via the 'Air Force Band of recorded tunes. A1 Henry, who high school, suburban, state con- with recruiting pitches from celebs handles the chores here, is a smart ference and other gridiron activi- a nd on-the-spot tapings of GOC deejay because of his showmanly ties. With such experts as Dick groups at work. The educational manner - of presentation and the Fisher and Lyle Clark, Minnesota and entertainment values are effective but short commercials. He backfield and line coach, respec- smoothly integrated and the pro- has a warm, informal manner of tlvely, giving their opinions and gram holds the listener’s ear all introing his numbers and selling observations while being quizzed the way. his products. Keeps his chatter by WTCN sportscaster Dick En- On the preem show Saturday down to bare necessity, he manages roth and Minneapolis Tribune (25) GOC pitchmen were Gen. to infuse the necessary sales points sportswriter Sid Hartman, and Hoyt Vandenberg and Arthur God- without becoming boring to the Tom Briere, also a newspaper frey. Their sincere spiels were ef- ear sportswriter, going over the high fective. High point of the program Hi s format boiled down is more school, etc., situations, the gabbing was the taping of the Hartley, Del., mus ic less talk He intersperses holds much interest for football branch of the GOC. Its operation the piatter numbers with musical fans and especially Gopher follow- was neatly portrayed via a stand- hrideec to harkeround his commer- ers. It also affords Enroth the out editing job. Air Force Band cial commentary either for the chance to get in occasional good gave the session pace with rousing tune or the product. Doesn't ex- commercial licks for the' sponsor, renditions of “I Got Rhythm," noun d on paoh tune Oftentimes GOOD NEWS PRODUCTIONS for th* starring role In the film "BANDERILLA" and COLUMBIA RECORDS. Fisher, Clark, Hartman and “Blue Skies” and “Blow, Gabriel, Briere prove adept word slingers, Blow.” Douglas Edwards capably expressing themselves concisely, knit the 25-minuter together in the clearly and swiftly. Exercising emcee-narrator’s post. Gvos. language restraint by foregoing a resort to cliches, triteness, prolox- CLEVELAND BROWNS ity and misuse of big words, which with Ken Coleman, Bob Bouwsma, mars his otherwise topdrawer John Wellman play-by-play broadcasts of various 120 Mins: Sunday 2 p.m. sports events, Enroth -also -4s an -CARLINGS asset - ^es. WTAM, Cleveland (to 45 stations) pound on each tune. Oftentimes he allows three and four tunes o ether before he intrudes on the aud. That is another strong reason for his popularity here. Each of his musical bridges is different from the preceding one. Selection of tunes is excellent. Eck. (Lang, Fisher & Stashower) Ken Coleman has moved into the local sports field with an auspici- ous and challenging boom that may well project him as one of VOICE OF THE TEEN With Marcia Anderson, Others 60 Mins.; Sat., 10 a. m, TOLLGATE RESTAURANT “the Teen," with Marcia }Jf ^wXonlv sic^fnterviewff’a’nd K2& a sh^rt ^eer 'bSSdhlZae nf^nrJ? mer Boston announcer has grasped gram is sponsored by\he Tollgate" C01 T plet £ knowledge of the players restaurant-sweet shop in suburban r^ aC i 1 * n § * ac ^ cs employed by Slingerlands. Taped interviews on «^ lls favorite type of selections, singers, motion pictures, sports, etc., are PbW-by-play sportscaster, is made on the premises the previous as an adjunct to suppler- night for playback. The queries, men ^ a rapidfire accounting of the put directly and answered briefly, S 3 ™®* , ..... , . . reveal clearly what the girls and Coleman s ability to stay on top boys think. They have significance eac b }} ls apparent ex- for entertainment promoters, so- tensive football lingo go far to ciologists, parents and other adults, eliminate deadly repetition of Miss Anderson, who writes a words and cliches, weekly “Teen Age” column for Credit, too, to John Wellman The Knickerbocker News, also who supplies the statistics and to spins a wide selection of records, makes “dedications," reads teen- ager announcements. Jaco. Bob Bouwsma for clear, easy-to- take commercials and color high- lights. Mark. Eileen BARTON AMERICAN MUSIC HALL and U.5. COAST GUARD SHOW EYERY SUNDAY, ABC, RADIO GUESTING OCTOBER 3<T STEYE ALLEN SHOW CBS-TY CORAL RECORDS Dir.: MCA